My homelab grows and now I need an access server. I surf on ebay.com an I got a bunch of different routers.

Cisco AS2509 - 2512Cisco AS5200Cisco AS5300

I found a video to setup an access server from Chris Brian and he recommends to take a AS2509.I found some AS5200 which are cheaper. What's the different between these AS?I can't see the "large serial ports" on these. I don't know how can I call these ports. On the AS5200 I can't see one of the these ports, where I have to plug in my octal cable.

When you look at the picture for this link look to the very left and it's a very thin and long connection. If I remember correctly the 2509 gives you 8 octal connections and the 2511 gives you 16, but someone correct me if I'm wrong